Appliance to prevent locked fingers during sleep and for exercising grip

ABSTRACT

Fingers clenched during sleep (the ‘trigger finger’ condition) can be prevented from locking up by limiting the degree of flexure (closure) that the fingers can experience. An object of compressible resilient material, which may be a soft rubber ball, is affixed proximate the palm of the hand. As the fingers curve to become flexed they wrap around the object and the degree of flexure is limited to a non-locking amount by the gradual but increasing resistance of the object to compression. To keep the ball in place during sleep the person may wear a glove, and the ball is removably affixed to the exterior palm portion of the glove, perhaps with hook and loop fasteners. The glove may be of thin stretchable material that is also breathable and having finger sections that omit the ends thereof. The appliance can be used for hand exercises, and different degrees of effort can be obtained by selecting a compressible resilient object having a desired degree of resistance to compression. And for either use, the size of the compressible resilient object or diameter of the ball can be chosen to fit comfortably within the partially flexed fingers of the hand. Alternate embodiments include permanently mounting the ball to the palm of the glove and omitting the glove in favor of elastic loops affixed to the ball (either permanently or removably) that engage the center fingers and the back of the hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Some persons, particularly among those who are senior citizens,are afflicted with a chronic condition whose medical term is stenosingtenosynovitis, sometimes referred to as “trigger finger.” When thisaffects the fingers of the human hand the symptoms include an inabilityto unbend one or more of the fingers (open the hand) from a flexed orclenched condition (as for a closed fist). The fingers of the hand areactuated by the motion of attached tendons that are each enclosed in asheath. Stenosis is the constriction of a passage, such as a duct orsheath, and tenosynovitis is inflamation of a tendon. The stenosis ofthe tendon may be the result of an inflamation of it, as well. While thecause of these conditions is not well understood, the result is that atendon can “get stuck” in its sheath. When tension applied via thattendon was how a finger became bent, then that finger is also “stuck”and cannot easily be straightened, especially when it has been fully, oralmost fully, flexed (bent). A fully retracted and stuck tendon enjoys amechanical advantage over its counterpart that straightens the finger,which is why the finger appears locked. There is often pain associatedwith this condition, and treatments include local injection of variousdrugs and even surgery to slit the sheath. Despite such interventionsthe condition often recurs.

[0002] This locking up of fingers is frequently avoidable during wakinghours by consciously taking care to not manipulate the fingers of thehand in ways that will cause them to lock up. That is, by limiting thedegree of flexure. While this may be a minor aggravation and representssome loss of dexterity, it is often manageable and acceptable as simplypart of the price for growing old. But in some cases the victim clencheshis fists during sleep, with the result that upon waking he or she mustundergo a sometimes painful straightening process, made much worse iffingers on both hands are afflicted. If only one hand is afflicted, thenthe other hand can be used to pry the afflicted fingers open, afterwhich they are again usable if not inadvertently allowed to again lockup. But if most of the fingers on both hands are afflicted, then thesufferer has a real problem, and must resort to desperate means to gethis hands back in service: the services of another person (which may notbe available), hooking the fingertips over the edge of a table andpulling, pulling with the teeth (assuming one doesn't need to put themin, first . . . ) and so on. All in all, it is not a pleasant way tostart the day, and this condition may in fact even be hazardous (or atthe very least, quite inconvenient) under certain middle-of-the-nightemergency situations where one needs the use of his hands to quicklyopen a window, climb out a window, deal with a door lock, open a closeddoor, or simply use the bathroom.

[0003] It would be desirable if there were a convenient and effectiveway of preventing this condition from resulting in locked fingers aftersleep.

[0004] There are also individuals who need or desire to exercise themuscles of the hand, perhaps to maintain the use of their hands in faceof declining functionality and as part of a physical therapy regimen, orto improve their grip for recreational purposes (e.g., rock climbers).There are many hand-held appliances known for such exercise, but mostare not adjustable as to hand size and degree of strength required foruse, and they generally not captive within the hand during use. It wouldbe desirable if there were an inexpensive, durable, adjustable andcaptive hand exercise appliance. It would be especially desirable if itwere also effective in preventing the condition of locked fingers duringsleep.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A solution to the problem of fingers that lock up from fistsclenched during sleep (the “trigger finger” condition) is to limit thedegree of flexure (closure) that the fingers can experience. This may bedone by affixing an object of compressible resilient material proximatethe palm of the hand, so that as the fingers curve to become flexed theywrap around the object and the degree of flexure is limited by thegradual but increasing resistance of the object to compression. Theinvoluntary flexure of the fingers during sleep still occurs, but it islimited by the resistance of the compressible resilient object so thatit is less than the amount needed to produce locking. The compressibleresilient object may be a soft rubber ball. To keep the ball or othercompressible resilient object in place during sleep the person may weara comfortable glove on the hand, and the compressible resilient objectis removably affixed to the exterior of that portion of the glove thatcovers the palm of the hand. If the compressible resilient object hasthe shape of a ball, then the fingers will close around it in a naturaland comfortable fashion, as if it were being gripped and squeezed onpurpose. The manner of affixing the compressible resilient object may bewith pieces of hook and loop fastener (known under the trademarkVelcro). The glove may be of thin stretchable material that is alsobreathable (e.g., leather with sewn-in elastic) but having fingersections substantially shortened by omitting the ends thereof (as if cutaway). The glove/fastener/ball combination holds the ball in placewithout conscious effort by the wearer, even if the hand relaxesentirely during portions of sleep. The ball is thus in place ifinvoluntary flexure occurs later. The same appliance can be used todeliberately perform hand exercises, if desired. Different degrees ofdifficulty (resistance to squeezing) can be obtained by removing onecompressible resilient object (which may be a rubber or plastic ball)and replacing it with another one having a different degree ofresistance to compression. And for either use, the size of thecompressible resilient object or diameter of the ball can be chosen tofit comfortably within the partially flexed fingers of the hand. Andalso for either use, the compressible resilient object or ball isreadily removable. A ball that has been removed makes it easier to puton the glove (and the ball is then subsequently attached), and adetachable ball makes response to other tasks (answering the phone,opening a door) easier by allowing quick and easy removal of the ballwithout bothering to take off the glove. In an alternate embodimentelastic loops attached to a soft rubber ball engage the center fingersand the back of the palm to hold the ball in place, without the use of aglove. The attachment of the elastic loops to the compressible resilientobject may either be removable, as with hook and loop fasteners, or bepermanent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the side of a left human handand an appliance for preventing locked fingers during sleep and forexercising grip, but with a ball portion detached from a glove portionworn on the hand;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the left hand andappliance of FIG. 1, with the ball portion in place and the handgripping the ball;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of the hand and applianceof FIG. 2; and

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of an alternate embodimentwherein elastic loops hold the soft rubber ball in place, without theuse of a glove.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Refer now to FIG. 1, wherein is shown a perspective view 1 of aleft human hand 2 wearing a glove 3 and equipped to removably attach arubber ball 4 such that the ball 4 can be comfortably gripped by thethumb 7 and other fingers (8-11) of the hand 2. We have shown a ball 4in FIG. 1 (as well as in FIGS. 2 and 3 to follow), but it will beunderstood that the ball 4 is merely a preferred instance of acompressible resilient object that the hand 2 is to grip. Thecompressible resilient object might instead have the shape of acylinder, or be an oblate spheroid (egg shaped), for example.

[0011] The ball 4 is to be nestled and retained in the palm of the hand2 when it is being gripped. While awake one can deliberately do this byso placing the ball and then flexing the fingers (8-11) and thumb 7. Butfor certain exercise situations (poor muscle control or impairedcoordination), or for holding the ball in place during sleep, the ballneeds to be made captive for it to remain retained. A preferred way todo this is with pieces of hook and loop faster (commonly known by thetrademark Velcro). Accordingly, note region 6 on the glove 3, whereat isaffixed a circular patch of the hook part of the hook and loop fastener.A corresponding portion 5 of loop material is affixed to the ball 4.These circular patches may be in range of about one to two inches indiameter, and preferably they are attached by a flexible adhesive, suchas contact cement, silicone rubber, vinyl cement, etc. The hook portion6 might also be sewn onto the palm of the glove 3.

[0012] In brief, then, to use the appliance one puts on the glove, andif the ball is not already attached, extends the fingers to expose thepalm, and then mates the loop portion 5 on the ball 4 with the hookportion 6 on the glove 3. It will be noted that the ball 4 can also bereadily removed to permit unfettered use of the hand without the need toalso remove the glove. It will further be appreciated that, just as theglove might need to be sized to fit the hand, selection of compressibleresilient objects (balls 4) of different sizes (or having differentdegrees of resistance to compression) might be desirable, and isfacilitated by the removable attachment property described above.

[0013] We turn now to the ball 4, with the understanding that much ofwhat we say about it pertains to grippable compressible resilientobjects of other suitable shapes. First, for an adult male the ball 4might be about two and one half inches in diameter, and be made of softrubber. As for size, it needs to be small enough that it can be gripped(i.e., the fingers do actually wrap around it), but not so small that athumb 7, little finger 11, or other finger, can become fully flexed bysliding off to the side of the ball (or other shape). The ball 4 orother compressible resilient shape could also be made of a suitableplastic material. A tennis ball, while about the right size, is way toostiff for this application and has found to be uncomfortable.Furthermore, it is possible that its fuzzy exterior is a detriment; itinterferes with attaching the loop portion 5, and complicates the taskof keeping the ball 4 clean. Instead, it is preferred that the ball 4 beof closed cell foam rubber, with a smooth exterior surface.

[0014] Next, consider the hardness and compressibility of the ball 4. Itis, as rubber balls go, pretty soft. One closed cell foam rubber ball oftwo and one half inches in diameter that was found to be quite suitablemeasures from about two to three on the Shore A scale using a durometerfrom NEW AGE Industries, Jenkinstown, Pa. and conforming to ASTM 2040and DIN 53505. Those values are for initial contact with the durometercase that does not seriously deform the ball (the penetrator is, ofcourse, in full contact). As the ball is compressed by further motionfrom the case of the durometer, say, to somewhat less than half itsdiameter, the ball begins to exhibit less compliance and its effectivehardness increases to around twenty on the Shore A scale. Measuredanother way, the two and one half inch ball was placed between twoparallel surfaces and its deformation was measured with differentamounts of applied force. With five pounds applied the thickness wasreduced to about one and three quarters inches; with ten pounds, toabout an inch and a quarter; with twenty pounds to about seven eights ofan inch; and, with twenty-five pounds to about three quarters of aninch. Once the thickness of about three quarters of an inch is reached,very little additional compression is observed with increased force. Itappears that these results (and also the durometer results) reflect theexistence of a cellular structure within the ball. Initial compressionencounters less resistance as the cells are deformed. However, once allthe cells along the direction of an applied force are fully deformed theadjacent cell walls are in successive contact. The material then beginsto behave as if it were a slab of rubber, and exhibits a greater degreeof hardness and resistance to compression.

[0015] An adult male in good health with strong hands is able tocompress this same ball to a thickness of about thirty percent of itsoriginal diameter of two and one half inches, or to about three quartersof an inch. Such extreme compression would most likely occur only duringdeliberate exercise, but not during sleep. During sleep it can beexpected that compression caused by involuntary clenching of the hand ismuch less, say, to only about seventy percent of original thickness.

[0016] The ball 4 (or other compressible resilient object) is resilient,in that it immediately returns to its normal shape when compression isremoved.

[0017] A brief note is in order about the disc shaped patch 5 of loopmaterial. It may be circular, but since it is not being affixed to aflat surface it will exhibit ridges when forced to conform to aspherical surface. It may, therefore, be desirable to cut a few thinwedge shaped slices out of the patch 5 before affixing it to the ball 4.Sticky backed merchant hook and loop fastener material has been foundsuitable, and this may obviate the need for a separate adhesive. It willbe appreciated, however, that there are other ways of affixing the discshaped patch 5 to the ball, and that those include adhesives, as well asmechanical techniques such as staking it, clipping it, etc.

[0018] We turn now to the glove 3. It will be appreciated that there isno need to fabricate a special glove; the modifications described hereincan be performed to a suitable merchant glove and the results will beentirely satisfactory. That said, there are nevertheless certaindesirable attributes that the glove ought to have. Chief among these arethat it must fit comfortably and somewhat snugly. The material ought tobe slightly stretchy, and not trap moisture against the skin (i.e., bebreathable). For these reasons a glove made of thin leather ispreferred. Examples include goatskin, sheepskin and pigskin, in therange of about 0.015″ to 0.025″ thick. The glove may have variousventilation holes 12 therein, as well as an elastic wristband and anadjustable strap 13 across the back.

[0019] An example of a suitable merchant glove in commerce is a gloveintended for use by golfers, manufactured of cabretta goatskin and soldby APPLE SPORTS Inc. of Ronkonkoma N.Y., 11779 under license from theWilson Sporting Goods Company and as part of its “Ultra” line. WilsonSorting Goods is located at 8700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, Ill., 60631.It will, of course, be appreciated that there are many suitable glovesavailable, and that one of those may be used as a component, or, that anoriginal glove could be constructed for this purpose.

[0020] The disc 6 of hook fastener material may be attached to the palmof the glove with a strong and flexible adhesive, such as contact cementor silicone rubber. Stitching it in place is also possible, althoughsome versions of hook fastener material have rather stout plastic hooks,which may make sewing difficult. An alternative (whether sewn or not) isto make the disc 6 be the more fibrous loop material, and put the hookportion on the ball, instead. Especially in this case (owing to thestiffness of a patch of hook material), the comment above about removingthin wedge shaped slices from the disc being attached to the ball isparticularly appropriate.

[0021] The exact diameter of the discs 5 and 6 of the hook and loopfastener material is not particularly critical, although there arecertain considerations leading to a useful maximum and minimum. If thediameter is too small, then the ball or other compressible resilientobject may pivot unduly off to one side, and by not being in the properplace, allow a finger or thumb to lock up. Also. There may not besufficient retentive force to keep it in place during use. On the otherhand, if the diameter of the disc 6 on the palm of the glove is toolarge, then there may be excessive freedom of location in locating theball 4 against the hand, and once again the ball 4 is not in the properposition. Also, if the disc 5 on the ball is too large, then a waste ofmaterial occurs, since owing to the curvature of the ball only a certainamount of the fastener 5 on the ball will come into contact with thefastener 6 on the palm when the hand is not fully curved (fingersextended), anyway. Diameters of about three quarters of an inch to abouttwo inches have been found satisfactory, with a preference of one andthree quarters of an inch for adults.

[0022] As shown in the figures, the finger tips and thumb tip of theglove 3 have been removed at about where the glove reaches the jointnearest the knuckle. While not absolutely necessary, it is neverthelessdesirable for these reasons. First, it increases comfort, and removesthe length of one's fingers as a factor in proper fit. Next, itfacilitates the normal use of the hand after the ball 4 is temporarilydetached to accomplish some intervening task that arises, without havingto also remove the glove. Examples might be: finding and activating alight switch in the dark, working a zipper, unlocking a door, etc.

[0023] The glove 3 shown in FIG. 1 includes a strap 13. Its location isbetter shown in FIG. 3, but it will be appreciated now that such a straphelps keep the glove in place (a definite comfort issue) while allowingeasy application and removal. It is preferred that the strap 13 use ahook and loop fastener, also.

[0024] Finally, it will be noted that we have shown only a left hand 2and a left-handed glove 3 and ball 4 therefor. It will of course beappreciated that a right-handed version exists, and that either can beused in isolation, or that they may be both used together.

[0025] Now turn to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view 17 from below ofthe left hand 2 and glove/ball (4/3) combination (appliance) of FIG. 1.It shows the ball 4 attached to the glove 3, and the thumb 7 and variousfinger (8-11) gripping the ball 4, either for exercise, or involuntarilyduring sleep.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view 18 from above, of the situation inFIG. 2. Note the strap 13, whose underside has a region of loop fastenerthat bears against a region 14 of hook fastener affixed to the back ofthe glove. It will be appreciated that, in addition to its utility inhelping to produce proper fit, the strap 13 provides an ideal locationfor a product identification logo. Finally, note also the regions 15 and16 of elastic material included to increase the glove's ability toconform comfortably to the wearer's hand.

[0027] We turn now to a discussion of alternate embodiments, includingthe one shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of aball 4 or other compressible resilient object that has affixed to it twobands or loops 20 and 21 of elastic material. There is no glove used inthis embodiment, resulting in a monetary cost savings, but perhaps atsome intangible cost of less perceived comfort, and perhaps reduceddurability. In any event, arrows 22 and 23 indicate the direction that aright hand (not shown) would approach this embodiment. All four fingers(but not the thumb) would pass in the direction of arrow 22 through theloop or band 21, which is sized to fit snugly around the widest part ofthe hand, between the knuckles of the four fingers and the knuckle ofthe thumb. The center two fingers continue on to pass through loop orband 20 of elastic material, which is sized to fit snugly over thosecenter two fingers of the hand. The thumb extends around the outside ofthe band or loop 21, in the direction shown by arrow 23.

[0028] We have shown and described the situation for a right handapproaching the ball 4 from the right to the left. By turning the ballone hundred and eighty degrees, a left hand can approach from the leftto the right; the same ball and loop combination works for either hand.

[0029] Loop or band 20 may be of three eighths inch wide elasticmaterial, while loop or band 21 may be of elastic material that is onehalf inch wide. These widths are, of course, merely illustrative. Theelastic material may be sewn into the loops 20 and 21 (such a seam isnot shown), preferably at locations least likely to cause discomfort;the locations 24 and 25 of contacting the ball are preferred. It willalso be appreciated that at the locations 24 and 25 the manner ofaffixing the loops or bands 20 and 21 to the ball may be eitherpermanent or removable. That is, loops 20 and 21 can be permanentlyaffixed to the ball with adhesive or mechanical means, or removablyaffixed with regions of hook and loop fastener material (not shown), asin the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The two loops 20 and 21 could also beincorporated or replaced by a wound, woven or crossed webbing of elasticmaterial that encloses the hand while providing attachment to thecompressible resilient object.

[0030] Finally, it will be appreciated that hook and loop fastenermaterial, while preferred, is not the only manner of removableattachment that is possible for the embodiments described herein. Otherpossibilities include snaps, latches, laces and buckles. These samemethods of attachment, along with the use of a suitable adhesive, mayalso be used to attach the compressible resilient object when there isno intent to have it be removable.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus to prevent locking of flexed fingers and forexercising grip, the apparatus comprising: a glove to be worn on aperson's hand; a compressible and resilient object, of a size and shapegrippable by the fingers of the hand, and having sufficient resistanceto compression that the flexure of the fingers is limited to an amountthat they do not become locked in the flexed state; and a fastener thataffixes the compressible and resilient object against the gloveproximate the palm of the hand.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein thecompressible and resilient object is a rubber ball.
 3. Apparatus as inclaim 2 wherein the rubber ball is of closed cell rubber.
 4. Apparatusas in claim 2 wherein the diameter of the rubber ball is in the range ofabout two to three inches.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein thehardness of the compressible and resilient object varies from about twoto twenty on the Shore A scale as the object is increasingly compressedto about half its thickness.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein thefastener comprises patches of hook and loop material, one of which isaffixed to the compressible and resilient object and the other of whichis affixed to the palm of the glove.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 1 whereinthe glove is of leather and the tips of the thumb and finger portionsare absent.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the compressible andresilient object is removably fastened to the glove.
 9. Apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein the compressible and resilient object is permanentlyfastened to the glove.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the fasteneris an adhesive.
 11. Apparatus to prevent locking of flexed fingers andfor exercising grip, the apparatus comprising: a first loop of elasticmaterial of circumference selected to fit snugly around the portion of ahuman hand that is between the knuckles for the four adjacent fingersand the knuckle for the thumb; a second loop of elastic material ofcircumference selected to fit snugly around one or more of the fingersand at a location thereon proximate the knuckle where the one or morefingers are joined to the hand; a compressible and resilient objectfastened to the first loop of elastic material at a first location onthe object and fastened to the second loop of elastic material at asecond location on the object, the first and second locations selectedto accommodate the way the object is gripped by flexing the fingerswhile the object is against the palm of the hand.
 12. Apparatus as inclaim 11 wherein the compressible and resilient object is removablyfastened to the first and second elastic loops.
 13. Apparatus as inclaim 11 wherein the compressible and resilient object is permanentlyfastened to the first and second elastic loops.
 14. Apparatus as inclaim 11 wherein the compressible and resilient object comprises arubber ball.
 15. A method to prevent locking of flexed fingers and forexercising grip, the method comprising the steps of: wearing upon aportion of the hand a snug fitting covering of flexible material;attaching to the covering at a location proximate the palm of the hand acompressible and resilient object; and limiting with the resistance ofthe object to compression the extent to which the fingers of the handcan flex.
 16. A method as in claim 15 wherein the limiting step furthercomprises the step of preventing locked fingers by keeping the fingersfrom flexing to the degree needed to become locked.